This bill extends funding for the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative, a federal program that uses advanced technology to map mineral and energy resources beneath the Earth's surface. The legislation increases the program's authorization by $84 million for fiscal years 2027 through 2031, expanding what types of data can be collected to include modern sensing technologies, geochemical analysis, and real-time data systems. The bill also incorporates the U.S. Geological Survey's 3D Hydrography Program into the Earth MRI framework to improve coordination between mapping efforts. This affects geological scientists, mining companies, energy developers, and resource management agencies that rely on detailed subsurface mapping for critical minerals, geothermal resources, and natural hydrogen exploration. The funding extension ensures continued investment in this mapping capability well into the 2030s.

The Counting Aluminum Net Surplus Act of 2026 requires the Secretary of the Interior to conduct an ongoing study of aluminum recycling and waste disposal in the United States. The bill directs the Interior Department to report to Congress every three years, beginning within three years of the law's enactment, with detailed information about how much aluminum ends up in landfills, where that aluminum comes from (industrial sites, automotive industry, etc.), and how much aluminum scrap is exported to other countries, particularly foreign entities of concern. The reports must also analyze what improvements in collection and sorting technology are needed, what policies could keep more aluminum in the U.S. supply chain instead of landfills, and how increased domestic recycling could reduce America's dependence on foreign sources for aluminum and strengthen domestic manufacturing. No specific funding amount is included in the legislation; rather, it establishes an ongoing study obligation for federal agencies without a defined end date. This bill affects aluminum recycling industries, manufacturers, waste management facilities, and policymakers interested in domestic supply chain security and reducing reliance on foreign mineral sources.

H.R. 7889, the Advancing Water Research and Collaboration Act of 2025 (AWRC Act), updates and reauthorizes the federal water resources research and technology institutes program originally created under the Water Resources Research Act of 1984. The bill reauthorizes funding for the program at $16 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2029, supporting university-based water research institutes across the states. It also expands the program's stated purpose to explicitly include collaboration with the growing artificial intelligence industry, reflecting AI's increasing role in water research and technology. Additionally, the bill clarifies how research funds are distributed, specifying that grants can support regional or interstate water research, projects tied to priorities jointly identified by the Secretary and institutes, and studies on interstate water problems identified by Congress. The legislation reserves 20 percent of the authorized funds specifically for research addressing water issues that cross state lines, benefiting state water institutes, researchers, and communities dealing with regional water resource challenges.

This bill amends U.S. arms export law to streamline military aid to Taiwan by treating it similarly to longstanding allies like Israel, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. Specifically, it shortens the certification and reporting periods the State Department must follow when approving weapons sales to Taiwan, making the process faster. The bill also directs the State Department to study whether it can create an expedited licensing system—potentially approving requests within 15-30 days—for military equipment transfers to Taiwan from NATO countries, Japan, Australia, South Korea, New Zealand, and Israel. The State Department must report back to Congress within 90-180 days on the feasibility of this expedited process and then submit implementation updates every two years. The legislation automatically expires after seven years and explicitly states it does not change the overall U.S. policy toward Taiwan.

The SECURE Minerals Act of 2026 establishes a new government corporation called the Strategic Resilience Reserve to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign countries—particularly China—for critical minerals essential to national security and economic competitiveness. The Reserve will acquire, store, and manage critical minerals; conduct biennial risk assessments of supply chains; use various financing tools like loans and investments to develop domestic mining and recycling capacity; and sell stored minerals during supply shortages or price spikes. Governed by a 7-member Board of Governors appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, the Reserve aims to ensure at least 25 percent of domestic critical mineral consumption comes from U.S. or allied sources while limiting dependence on foreign entities of concern to no more than 75 percent. The bill includes strict oversight mechanisms, including mandatory annual independent audits, biennial reviews by the Comptroller General, and annual public reporting with a searchable transaction database (with limited national security exceptions). The Reserve can also establish international partnerships with allied nations that contribute at least $100 million in capital and must evaluate foreign producers' environmental and labor compliance standards.

This bill designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 12109 New Kent Highway in New Kent, Virginia, as the "Patricia Paige Post Office".

This resolution authorizes the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for a special event on December 16, 2025, to unveil a statue honoring Barbara Rose Johns. Johns was a civil rights figure known for leading a student walkout in 1951 to protest unequal school conditions, an act that helped fuel the broader school desegregation movement in the United States. The resolution primarily affects congressional operations and event planning, granting permission for the ceremony to take place in this designated Capitol space. Any physical setup or logistical arrangements for the event must follow guidelines established by the Architect of the Capitol, who oversees the maintenance and use of Capitol facilities. The measure does not involve federal spending or long-term policy changes; it simply clears the way for a one-day commemorative event.

H.Res. 681 is a commemorative resolution honoring General Lafayette's contributions to American independence and his historic farewell tour, which took place from August 1824 to September 1825—exactly 200 years before the resolution's passage. The resolution recognizes Lafayette's service as a Continental Army officer who fought without pay during the Revolutionary War, used his personal fortune to supply troops, and played a crucial diplomatic role in securing French military and financial support that helped secure American victory. Beyond his military service, the resolution acknowledges Lafayette's lifelong advocacy for human rights, abolition of slavery, religious tolerance, and women's rights, as well as his status as a revered national hero who was the first foreign dignitary to address Congress. The resolution does not authorize any funding or create new programs; rather, it simply expresses the House's gratitude for Lafayette's sacrifices and recognizes his continued legacy as the "Hero of Two Worlds" during this bicentennial commemoration year, which included a 13-month, multi-state educational campaign organized by the American Friends of Lafayette.

The Finding Opportunities for Resource Exploration Act allows the U.S. Secretary of the Interior to sign agreements with foreign countries to cooperatively map critical minerals and rare earth elements—materials essential for technology, defense, and clean energy. The bill aims to strengthen U.S. and allied country access to these resources by giving American and allied companies first right of refusal to develop newly mapped mineral deposits, while facilitating private investment through government financing programs. Cooperative activities include geological mapping, training programs, environmental standards guidance, and capacity building at foreign institutions. The Secretary must notify Congress at least 30 days before entering any such agreement and must coordinate with the State Department and private sector companies throughout the process. No specific funding amount or timeline is specified in the legislation.

The Chesapeake Bay Conservation Acceleration Act of 2025 strengthens conservation efforts in the Chesapeake Bay region through three main changes. First, it expands the Conservation Reserve Program through 2028 by making riparian buffers eligible for participation, doubling payment caps to $100,000, and allowing existing agreements to be updated with enhanced incentive options without full renegotiation. Second, it streamlines hiring for the Natural Resources Conservation Service by allowing the Secretary of Agriculture to directly appoint qualified technical assistance staff, bypassing standard federal civil service procedures. Third, it removes invasive blue catfish and flathead catfish from USDA inspection authority and transfers oversight to the FDA, with requirements for the agencies to coordinate within 90 days and eliminate duplicative inspections within 180 days. Together, these provisions aim to accelerate conservation practices and improve agricultural and environmental management in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce ActThis bill expands the expenses eligible for tax-free withdrawals from a qualified tuition program (known as a 529 plan) to include tuition, fees (including test fees), books, supplies, equipment, and other expenses related to the enrollment or attendance in a recognized postsecondary credentialing program.Under the bill, a recognized postsecondary credentialing program includes certain programs identified by a state as providing training services, a program listed in the Web Enabled Approval Management System (WEAMS) maintained by the Department of Veterans Affairs, certain examinations required to obtain or maintain a credential, and other reputable credentialing programs.Further, under the bill, such programs must be designed for an individual to obtainan industry-recognized postsecondary employment credential (e.g., project management professional certificate, advanced emergency medical technician certificate, and welding supervisor certificate),a certificate of completion of a registered and certified apprenticeship,an occupational or professional license issued or recognized by a state or the federal government (and any certification required for obtaining such license), oran associate or baccalaureate degree.

Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency ActThis bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to annually publish a list of entities that hold a license or other authorization granted by the FCC and have ties to specified foreign countries.With respect to entities holding cable landing licenses (for the placement and operation of submarine communications cables) or other licenses granted via competitive auction, the FCC must publish a list of all such entities (1) in which a covered entity holds a specified voting or equity interest, or (2) that have been determined by a national security agency to be subject to the control of a covered entity. With respect to entities holding all other categories of FCC licenses or other authorizations, the FCC must first issue rules facilitating the collection of information on such licensees’ ownership structure. After that information is obtained, the FCC must add to the published list any such entity in which a covered entity holds a specified voting or equity interest. Under the bill, a covered entity is defined as an entity organized in China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia; a subsidiary of such an entity; or the government of China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia.

Veterans Collaboration ActThis bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a two-year pilot program to promote and encourage partnerships between the VA and nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher learning. Specifically, the VA must encourage partnerships between (1) veterans service organizations that provide credentialed personnel to assist veterans with legal needs, and (2) law schools that provide pro bono legal assistance and legal services to veterans.

Be Ready to Assist Veterans in Extremis Act or the BRAVE Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a patient outreach system under which it must ensure that veterans who are enrolled in the VA health care system and have experienced a traumatic or highly stressful event may elect to receive information and resources relating to mental health and available mental health care services. The VA must coordinate the system with the Transition Assistance Program of the Department of Defense.

Veteran's Choice Accountability Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to evaluate VA programs that furnish hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care to ensure that the most intensively used specialized care programs are maintained as centers of excellence. The bill also requires the VA to submit an evaluation of the VA's implementation of the VA Budget and Choice Improvement Act.

Veterans Affairs Transfer of Information and Sharing of Disability Examination Procedures With DOD Doctors Act This bill addresses the sharing of medical information and disability examination procedures between the Departments of Defense (DOD) and Veterans Affairs (VA). It requires that if a member of the Armed Forces who is required to receive a physical examination upon separation from active duty has or is believed to have a medical condition that may make the member eligible for veterans' disability compensation and benefits, the examination must be performed by a VA-certified health care provider.If the condition is discovered during the physical examination and the examining health care provider is not VA-certified, the examination must be completed by a VA-certified provider. An eligibility determination made as part of such an examination shall be binding on the VA and be used as the basis for assigning the member's disability rating. The VA and DOD shall jointly establish a system to share data and maintain the medical and personnel records of Armed Forces members and veterans.

Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2025This bill bars the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the Forest Service from prohibiting or regulating the use of lead ammunition or tackle on federal land or water. The bill makes exceptions for specified existing regulations and where the FWS, the BLM, or the Forest Service determines that a decline in wildlife population at the specific unit of federal land or water is primarily caused by the use of lead in ammunition or tackle, based on the field data from such unit, and the state approves the regulations.

Organ Donation Referral Improvement ActThis bill requires the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) in the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct a study on hospitals’ use of electronic automated referrals for organ donations. The bill defines electronic automated referral as an electronic system that uses electronic health records to identify patients who are potential organ donors and automatically refers those patients to organ procurement organizations. The ASPE must include specified components in the study, including identifying benefits, reviewing best practices, and developing recommendations for the use of electronic automated referrals for organ donations.

Adoption Information ActThis bill requires federally funded family planning programs to provide each person who inquires about medical or abortion services with specified information about adoption centers in their region. The Department of Health and Human Services must provide the programs with pamphlets containing the required information.

Supporting the Health of Aquatic systems through Research Knowledge and Enhanced Dialogue Act of 2025 or the SHARKED Act of 2025This bill requires the Department of Commerce to establish a task force to address and report to Congress about critical needs with respect to shark depredation. (Shark depredation is the partial or complete removal of a hooked fish by a shark directly from a fishing line before the line is retrieved.) The duties of the task force are, among other responsibilities, to (1) develop ways to improve coordination and communication across the fisheries management and shark research communities; (2) identify research priorities and funding opportunities; (3) develop recommended management strategies to address shark depredation; and (4) coordinate the development and distribution of educational materials.The bill specifies that the task force must include representatives of each Regional Fishery Management Council, each Marine Fisheries Commission, the fish and wildlife agencies of coastal states, and the National Marine Fisheries Service. The task force must also include researchers and others with relevant expertise.The task force must report its findings to Congress within two years after the bill's enactment and every two years thereafter until the task force is terminated. The task force sunsets within seven years after the date of its establishment.

Stay on Schedule (S.O.S.) ResolutionThis resolution prevents the House of Representatives from adjourning in August until it has passed regular appropriations legislation for the fiscal year beginning in October. The resolution specifies that it is out of order for the House to consider a concurrent resolution for its adjournment during any day in August until the House has passed all of the regular appropriations bills.

No Budget, No Pay Act This bill withholds the salaries of Members of a chamber of Congress that has not agreed to a budget resolution for the next fiscal year by April 15, as required by the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.Salaries are withheld from April 16 until the earlier of (1) the day on which the chamber of Congress agrees to a budget resolution for the next fiscal year, or (2) the last day of the Congress.

Inaction Has Consequences Act This bill withholds the salaries of Members of a chamber of Congress that has not passed each of the annual appropriations bills before the beginning of the fiscal year, beginning with FY2026. Salaries are released on the earlier of (1) the date on which the chamber of Congress passes the bills, or (2) the last day of the Congress.